Rockwell, Orrin Porter

Biography

June 18141–9 June 1878.2 Ferry operator, herdsman, farmer.3 Born in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.4 Son of Orin Rockwell and Sarah Witt.5 Moved to Farmington (later in Manchester), Ontario Co., New York, 1817.6 Neighbor to JS.7 Baptized into LDS church, 1830, in Ontario Co.8 Moved to Ohio and then to Big Blue settlement, Kaw Township, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1831.9 Married first Luana Beebe, 2 Feb. 1832, in Jackson Co.10 Moved to Clay Co., Missouri.11 Moved to Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri, by 1838.12 Ordained a deacon, 6 July 1838, in Far West.13 Traveled to Washington DC with JS to seek redress for Missouri grievances, Oct. 1839–Mar. 1840.14 Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, by 1840.15 Member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge.16 Imprisoned in Missouri, Mar. 1843, on suspicion of attempting to kill former Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs.17 Grand jury declined to indict him on that charge; released Dec. 1843 after serving five-minute sentence for jailbreak.18 Admitted to Council of Fifty, 19 Mar. 1844. Ordained a high priest, before 5 Jan. 1846.19 Migrated with Brigham Young pioneer company to Salt Lake Valley, 1847.20 Married second Mary Ann Neff; wife died, 28 Sept. 1866.21 Married third Christine Olsen.22 Died in Salt Lake City.23